Ashimov (8-2-1, M-1: 3-0-0), who captured his Interim crown at M-1 Challenge 87 last February, Stopping Mikael Silander in round two voa punches, answered a series of M-1 Global questions:

Arman, how did the M-1 Challenge interim flyweight title change your life?

AA: “I was extremely happy to become the champion, but I would not say I felt such a big difference. Kazakhs knew me well even before I won the title, but after I won the belt, media started to pay more attention to me. It’s hard to say whether I won more fans because I had so many of them in Kazakhstan, but I hope that now in other countries there are more people who love the way I fight. People often recognize me on the streets of Kazakhstan, support me, ask for selfies. But I don’t feel like a star. I’m just a simple guy. Such attention does not bother me, because all Kazakhs are my relatives, how can I deny a selfie?

What is the secret of your knockout punch? Was it your goal to train such a hard punch?

AA: “It’s the will of Allah. We did not change the training plan, have been training striking and grappling as always. I am ready to go the full five round distance, if needed. I am strong enough for the 25-minute fight and this is exactly what I always have in mind. We consider an opportunity to go somewhere for training camp, but now I need to fulfil the target, and win the undisputed title.

Not many people know about it, but you are a great grappler. Can you tell us about your grappling experience?

AA: “Indeed, I don’t talk much about it, but I have some experience in grappling as well. The thing is that in The Rage, I don’t like grappling, I prefer a stand-up fight. If my opponent wants to check my skills, I will demonstrate them. I am a combat jiu-jitsu master of sports of international class for a reason, after all.”

What can you say about your opponent Aleksander Doskalchuk?

AA: “Aleksander Doskalchuk is a very experienced all-around fighter. His fighting style is like that of one of my previous opponents, Mikael Silander. He is good both at striking and grappling. I don’t know what game plan he is going to choose, but we will find it out very soon.”

Undoubtedly all of Kazakhstan will watch the broadcast, but will some fans of yours come to Saint Petersburg for the fight?

AA: “Many fans will come here from Kazakhstan, beside them will be a lot of Kazakhs living in Saint Petersburg, who will come to root for me. Even the Assembly of Kazakhs is going to support me. all this gives me an extra motivation!”